2020 Public Policy Guide

2020 &

P O L I C Y AG E N DA A DVO C AC Y G U I D E

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E : Business Policy Priorities for 2020 • How to Engage in Advocacy • Elected Officials Directory •

GreenvilleChamber.org

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

C H A I R

The Greenville Chamber and our regional partner, the Upstate Chamber Coalition, serves as the voice of business in the Upstate. It is our goal to create a public policy climate that makes it easier for you to sustain and develop your business, and our team works hard to advocate and educate the Greenville business community on public policy issues that will affect your community and impact your bottom line.

The 2018-2019 state legislative session was punctuated with several landmark victories spearheaded by the Chamber: the largest teacher pay increase in a generation, a tax credit for businesses that expand their use of our state’s ports, and a nearly 400 percent increase in local funding for Greenlink.

Your business fields challenges from all directions. Partisan gridlock prevents elected officials from solving the problems our nation faces. Political populism and polarization have skewed our discourse and make it harder than ever to seek necessary compromise.

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A G E N D A

A D V O C A C Y

G U I D E

4

GUIDING P RINCIP LE S

5

ADVOCACY AGE NDA • Federal Agenda • State Agenda • Local Agenda

10 ADVOCACY COMMITTE E S • How to Get Involved • Committee Listing

12 DIRECTORY OFFICIALS

Amid this uncertainty, the Chamber’s mission rings clearer than ever: “to lead, convene, and mobilize the business community to drive regional economic growth,” and our Advocacy programs bring business and political leaders together to do just that.

• Federal Officials

This year, we will focus on raising teacher pay to the national average, expanding opportunities by building out rural broadband service, increasing funding for transit options, and protecting businesses from frivolous lawsuits. On the following pages, you will find these items and a number of other issues we outline as our federal, state, and local agendas for 2020.

This policy guide has been created with the input of more than 1,400 businesses and their employees. We’ll tackle everything from promoting trade through the Export-Import Bank to addressing our state’s pension crisis and fostering sustainable local growth.

• SC House of Representatives

As your advocates from Main Street to the halls of Congress, the Greenville Chamber and Upstate Chamber Coalition work tirelessly to promote public policy that unleashes new opportunities for Upstate businesses and protects your interests.

Together, with our 11 chamber partners across the Upstate, our Advocacy program leverages the power of more than 8,000 businesses and their 300,000 employees to get things done.

Thank you for your support of the Greenville Chamber. We look forward to working with you this year!

Rich Hagins 2020 Board Chair, Greenville Chamber

C O N T E N T S

B O A R D

P O L I C Y

• State Officials • SC Senate • Greenville County Council • Municipal Officials

O F

T H E

F R O M

20 TALKING P OLITICS 21 GUIDE TO ME E TING OFFI C I A L S 22 HOW A BILL BECOME S A LAW

T A B L E

L E T T E R

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 3

G U I D I N G

S T A F F

P R I N C I P L E S

V O L U N T E E R S

The Upstate business community must do all we can to shape the direction of our community and the policies we need to extend our economic progress in this age of political uncertainty.

The Greenville Chamber will make it easier to do business in our region so our Investors may grow and create jobs. We will keep that focus whether we are debating trade deals with distant countries, working on reforming our burdensome tax system, or pushing for more efficient transit to move our neighbors.

A N D

Rich Hagins 2020 Board Chair Neil Batavia Vice Chair of Business Advocacy Milton Shockley Brad Medcalf Chairs, Business Advocacy Committee Carlos Phillips President & CEO Jason Zacher Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy Office: 864.239.3718 Cell: 864.787.6608 Email: jzacher@greenvillechamber.org Twitter: @jasonczacher

“Few relationships are as critical to the business enterprise itself as the relationship to government...

To a large extent the relationship to government results from what businesses do or fail to do.�

Jauntavia Prather Government Affairs Manager Office: 864.239.3748 Cell: 843.360.1966 Email: jprather@greenvillechamber.org Twitter: @jprather_gvl

2019 ADVOCACY INTERNS Catherine Demaret Clemson University

Molly Hulsey Covenant College

Matt Phillips Clemson University

Will Salmon Furman University

U P S TAT E C H A M B E R C OA L I T I O N Website: www.upstatechamber.org Twitter: @UpstateChamberSC Facebook: UpstateChamberCoalition Instagram: UpstateChamberSC

MEMBER CHAMBERS

- Peter Drucker

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

Anderson Area Chamber Cherokee County Chamber Clemson Area Chamber Fountain Inn Chamber Greenville Chamber Greater Greer Chamber Greater Easley Chamber Greenwood Chamber Laurens County Chamber Oconee County Chamber Simpsonville Area Chamber Spartanburg Area Chamber

U N I T E D F E D E R A L

S T A T E S A G E N D A

TRADE

International trade powers the Upstate’s economy. The Upstate Chamber Coalition supports trade deals that will expand our access to international trade and open markets for Upstate goods.

• • •

We support the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank to help boost the Upstate’s export-driven economy.

We oppose tariffs levied on our nation’s allies.

We support a fully-funded and staffed U.S. Commercial Service, which levels the playing field overseas for U.S. companies and attracts foreign investment into our country.

R EG U LATO RY CL I M AT E

Burdensome federal regulations cost our economy more than $2 trillion each year – or about a quarter of a million dollars to the average American company. We will continue to support the ongoing administrative review of, and the reduction or elimination of, burdensome federal regulations.

I NF R AST RU CT U R E

Our nation’s crumbling infrastructure is both a drag on economic growth and an opportunity to transform our economy.

• •

We support the bipartisan calls for increased and long-term funding legislation to repair our crumbling infrastructure.

We support the continued funding of the Charleston Port deepening project.

I M M I G R AT I O N

Legal immigration is directly tied to economic growth. Immigration brings a disproportionate number of entrepreneurs into our economy and brings in young workers to offset the retiring population of Baby Boomers.

We urge Congress to work on common sense immigration reform that addresses the long-term needs of the American economy.

• •

We ask Congress and the Trump Administration to expand legal immigration by reforming and expanding skilled worker programs such as the H-1B and L-1 visas.

Congress needs to take immediate action to give DACA recipients legal status so they remain in the United States.

SC DACA RESIDENTS AND ECONOMIC GAINS BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DISTRICT 3 TOTAL DACA RECIPIENTS

DISTRICT 4 TOTAL DACA RECIPIENTS

300

TOTAL DACA ELIGIBLE ANNUAL GDP LOSS FROM REMOVING DACA WORKERS

800

= $14,000,000

1,500

TOTAL DACA ELIGIBLE

2,000

ANNUAL GDP LOSS FROM REMOVING DACA WORKERS

= $61,000,000

Source: University of Southern California

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 5

S O U T H S T A T E

C A R O L I N A

GreenvilleChamber.org

A G E N D A

E DUCATI ON AND WO RK FO RC E

I NF R AST RU CT U R E

TEACHER PAY

Our region’s explosive growth strains the infrastructure that powers our economy. Growth alone will not take care of the expanding needs of our new residents.

•

We urge the General Assembly to increase teacher pay to the National Average in the next three years.

•

The General Assembly needs to study the implementation of pay bands to reward teachers with special skills and give districts more flexibility in recruiting for critical-needs areas.

MASS TRANSIT •

EDUCATION REGULATIONS

The state has not increased its share of transit funding in nearly three decades. We urge the General Assembly to increase state support for mass transit in our metro areas.

COMMERCIAL AVIATION •

We ask the General Assembly to allow districts to designate more deregulated schools and allow high-performing schools to increase the number of non-certified teachers.

The General Assembly needs to dedicate a stream of funding to our commercial airports so they can expand passenger and cargo service and boost our economy.

WORKFORCE HOUSING

HIGH-SPEED RAIL

•

•

We support the passage of legislation that allows new, market-based avenues so local builders and developers may build critical housing for our workforce.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSING •

•

The General Assembly needs to immediately give the 2,800 young adults legally living in the Upstate under the DACA program the right to receive state licenses to work. We also support efforts for DACA recipients residing in South Carolina to receive in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.

The General Assembly needs to require the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation and the boards that oversee professional licenses to carefully examine requirements to ensure they are necessary for public safety and not merely barriers to competition.

CHILDCARE •

The cost and accessibility of quality childcare is a major workforce barrier – the second-biggest barrier identified in our legislative survey. It is imperative that our state work on solutions to increase the accessibility of childcare and lower the cost to workers.

HIGHER EDUCATION •

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•

We support the Higher Education Opportunity Act to ensure a stream of new funding for our universities.

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

South Carolina needs to examine possible routes for high-speed rail through our state.

EXPANSION OF RURAL BROADBAND •

Expanding broadband access is the rural electrification of the 21st Century. We need to ensure all corners of the Upstate have access to broadband, which will benefit education and economic development.

TAX E S A ND R EG U LAT I O N The Greenville Chamber and the Upstate Chamber Coalition will work at the state and local levels to cut red tape for small business, make our region more economically competitive, and lower the barriers to entry for local entrepreneurs.

ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT EXPANSION •

The General Assembly needs to immediately reauthorize the successful Angel Investor Tax Credit program that encourages South Carolinians to fund our own high-impact start-up companies.

REGULATORY REFORM •

New regulations should require a public economic impact - not simply a state fiscal impact. Regulations above a certain economic impact should have public disclosure and a waiting period before being approved by the General Assembly.

S O U T H

C A R O L I N A

S T A T E

A G E N D A

SUPPORT FAIR SHARE

P E NS I O N CR I S I S

•

Our state’s $24 billion unfunded public pension liability is a fiscal crisis that will dramatically increase costs for the business community and decrease our competitiveness.

The General Assembly needs to finish reforming the system by closing the state pension system to new employees and switching to a defined contribution plan.

Government subdivisions should be allowed to leave the system so they may pay more competitive salaries.

Any changes must preserve the promises made to those currently in the system.

The General Assembly needs to re-institute the “joint and several” protections in court cases involving multiple parties. We should ensure that businesses with a small impact on an injury do not shoulder 100% of the financial burden because they have deep pockets.

TAX REFORM •

We support efforts to reform our state’s income tax structure to make it more competitive with other states in our region.

•

We support streamlining and standardizing the business license fee process, as long as the legislation does not intentionally harm municipal revenue.

H E A LTHCARE

E NE R GY The Upstate Chamber Coalition supports the orderly sale of Santee Cooper – or consider other solutions – to protect wholesale, retail, and industrial ratepayers, as well as provide continuous economic development support across the state.

We ask the state to review market-based opportunities for the Medicaid program so it may take advantage of available federal dollars, increase insurance coverage, and improve population health outcomes.

STARTI NG TEAC HE R SA LA RIE S FO R G R E E NV I L L E CO U NTY SCH O O L S & SCHOOL SYST E M S O F PE E R M E T R OS • 2 01 9 -2 02 0

1. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD $50,503 3. DENVER, CO $45,800

4. HENRICO COUNTY, VA $44,660 5. NASHVILLE, TN $43,363 7. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK $41,000 9. CHATTANOOGA, TN $39,592 2. AUSTIN, TX $47,713

8. GREENVILLE, SC

$40,000

N ATI ONAL AV E RAG E :

$38,617

6. WAKE COUNTY, NC $41,213 2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 7

L O C A L A G E N D A IN F RASTRUCT U RE

WO R K FO R CE H O U S I NG

Greenville will welcome 220,000 new residents over the next 20 years – a fact that has exposed a crumbling and inefficient infrastructure. Greenville County and the City of Greenville must take a serious look at our underfunded local infrastructure needs.

We support the investment of tax dollars and lowering of regulations to expand the availability and affordability of housing options in our community for young professionals and working families.

G R OWT H

SEWER UNIFICATION •

Greenville’s rapid growth comes with the immediate need for the City of Greenville, Greenville County, our smaller municipalities, and our special purpose districts to address our challenges while preserving our region’s long-term economic growth. We believe that the city and county must learn both from the mistakes of our past and the mistakes of other fast-growing communities while finishing the comprehensive plan process.

Greenville County Council and the Legislative Delegation need to unify our disparate sewer systems in order to promote economic growth, save precious tax dollars, and protect the environment.

GREENLINK •

•

The Greenville Chamber urges the City of Greenville and Greenville County to fund Greenlink’s long-term Transportation Development Plan and give our transit system the funding it needs to expand our economy.

Greenville County needs to fulfill its commitment to Greenlink and assist with a local match for the transit center federal grant.

•

We ask that our elected leaders promote inclusive economic growth by ensuring that mobility, connectivity, and availability of affordable and workforce housing are priority considerations both during the planning process and future budget appropriations.

•

We insist that the comprehensive plans have teeth for the future, and the councils need to commit to a timeline to re-align other development ordinances (such as zoning ordinances and the county’s area plans) to reflect the goals of the comprehensive plans.

•

We encourage prioritizing investment in housing and mobility, and the infrastructure required to support them, over other discretionary infrastructure investments.

TECHNOLOGY •

The Chamber will aggressively seek solutions to allow utilities to roll out the latest technologies including smart city initiatives, 5G service, and electric grid modernization.

LOCAL FUNDS PE R C A PITA BY S E RV I CE A R E A • 2 01 9 -2 02 0 $56.05 $46.14 $42.64

$43.01

$40.88

$31.19

$44.68

$

FOR EVERY INVESTED IN GREENLINK,

$27.69

$3.64

IS RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY.

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

THIS INCLUDES HIGHER WAGES & MORE JOBS.

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$5.73

Source: Piedmont Health Foundation

GreenvilleChamber.org

BIGPAC is an independent non-partisan political action committee focused on promoting the Greenville business community and state legislation affecting business.

Make a strong investment in the local business community and be a part of a team that speaks with a single, powerful voice on the issues that affect Greenville.

www.greenvillechamber.org/bigpac

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 9

H O W G E T

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T O I N V O L V E D

JOIN OUR ADVOCACY COMMITTEES

The Greenville Chamber has four issuebased Advocacy committees where you can make your voice heard: Business Advocacy, Growth & Infrastructure, Energy and Environmental Compliance, and Health and Community Wellness. These committees are an opportunity to hear from experts in these policy areas, network with Chamber Investors with similar interests, connect with your local elected officials, and stay abreast of new legislation and regulations. The Business Advocacy Committee crafts the Chamber’s Annual Legislative Agenda. These committees are a perfect first step for getting involved.

More info on these committees can be found on the next page.

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ADVOCATE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

As legislation moves through the process, we often call on Chamber Investors to help our bills clear legislative hurdles. You can advocate for pro-business legislation or squash anti-business legislation by responding to the Chamber’s Calls to Action.

If there is an issue that you’re passionate about, take a few minutes to write your representative an email or give them a call.

Personal contact is always the best option over automated emails. And you don’t have to wait for a Call to Action from us – we’ve put together a how-to guide on page 21 about effectively setting up meetings, crafting your message, and lobbying for your issues. Advocating for your business is one of the best ways to get involved in shaping policy.

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

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STAY INFORMED BY JOINING OUR GRASSROOTS LIST

You’re busy running your business, so we know that you don’t have time to pour over jargon-heavy legislation or stream hours-long committee meetings. By joining our grassroots list, you’ll receive weekly updates from the Chamber’s Advocacy staff on important legislation that affects business.

These weekly updates are jargon-free and give you a snapshot of what your Chamber is working on. They will also let you know of upcoming legislative events from our 12 chambers in the Upstate Chamber Coalition. If you’d like to be added to our Grassroots list, email advocacy@greenvillechamber.org.

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ATTEND ONE OF OUR MANY ADVOCACY EVENTS

The Greenville Chamber holds many Advocacy events throughout the year.

Whether you’re interested in running for office, want to learn about how to advocate for your issues, want to learn more about policy, or like to meet members of our local, state, and federal delegations, the Greenville Chamber holds events that offer all of these opportunities and more.

Take a look at our upcoming 2020 events at www.greenvillechamber.org, or contact the Chamber’s Advocacy staff for more information.

A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E S BUSINESS ADVOCACY COMMITTEE Our Business Advocacy Committee is the cornerstone policy committee at the Greenville Chamber. Open to all Chamber investors, the Business Advocacy Committee convenes business leaders with city, state, and federal officials to create a competitive climate for the continued growth and success of Greenville’s employers.

Co-Chairs: Milton Shockley, Re/Max Realty

Brad Medcalf, Pinnacle Financial Partners Membership: Open to all Chamber Investors.

GROWTH & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE Greenville’s rapid growth will stress the Upstate’s infrastructure. The Growth and Infrastructure Committee will develop the policy solutions needed to meet the needs of a growing business community while protecting our quality of life. This committee seeks solutions to ensure Greenville’s growth serves the needs of a growing business community while protecting our region’s award-winning quality of life.

Co-Chairs: Bob Knight, Public Strategy

TBD Membership: Open to any Chamber Investor at the Business Leader ($1,500) level or above.

H E A LT H C A R E & C O M M U N I T Y WELLNESS COMMITTEE The Greenville Chamber’s Healthcare and Community Wellness Committee is focused on improving the Upstate’s healthcare landscape, with special attention to access to care, healthcare innovation, and community health. This committee will develop sound policy solutions with the input from experts in physical and community health, business, and policy.

Co-Chairs: Walker Smith, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Laura Turner, Prisma Health Membership: Open to any Chamber Investor at the Business Leader ($1,500) level or above.

E N E R G Y & E N V I R O N M E N TA L COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE The Energy and Environmental Compliance Committee advocates for environmental and sustainable energy policies that are responsive to Greenville’s rapid growth and manufacturing economy.

We will do this by creating policy solutions based on sound science and risk management, while protecting the operations of Upstate businesses.

Co-Chairs: Charlie Isham, C&EC, Inc.

TBD Membership: Open to all Chamber investors.

SUBCOMMITTEES Infrastructure Projects Chair: Jennifer Mustar, HDR Responsibilities: This subcommittee will develop a biennial whitepaper of infrastructure projects that the committee, and the Chamber as a whole, will use as priorities.

Developers Council Chair: Michael Dey, Greenville Homebuilders Association Responsibilities: This subcommittee will work with local developers and government regulators on streamlining government processes with an eye on ensuring our booming workforce has the housing it needs to share in our prosperity.

Greenville Connects Chair: TBD Responsibilities: This subcommittee will work on transit and mobility solutions for Greenville and the broader Upstate region, seeking innovative policy solutions to better move people and goods throughout our area.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

(Appointed as Needed by Chairman, CEO, or SVP)

For more information on the Chamber’s committees, and for meeting dates, go to www.greenvillechamber.org or email us at advocacy@greenvillechamber.org

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 11

U P S T A T E F E D E R A L

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O F F I C I A L S

Senator Lindsey Graham (R) D.C. Office: (202) 224.5972 Upstate Office: (864) 250.1417

Senator Tim Scott (R) D.C. Office: (202) 224.6121 Upstate Office: (864) 233.5366

Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-3) D.C. Office: (202) 225.5301 Anderson Office: (864) 224.7401

Congressman William Timmons (R-4) D.C. Office: (202) 225.6030 Greenville Office: (864) 241.0175

Congressman Ralph Norman (R-5) D.C. Office: (202) 225.5501 Rock Hill Office: (803) 327.1114

District Staff: Van Cato State Director Angie Omer Regional Director

District Staff: Danielle Gibbs Regional Director

District Staff: Jordan Christian Regional Director

District Staff: Hope Blackley District Director

District Staff: David O’Neal District Director

S O U T H

C A R O L I N A

S T A T E

O F F I C I A L S

Governor Henry McMaster (R) (803) 734.2100 www.governor.sc.gov

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette (R) (803) 734.2100 www.ltgov.sc.gov

Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) (803) 734.8500 www.scag.gov

Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers (R) (803) 734.2190 www.agriculture.sc.gov

Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom (R) (803) 734.2121 www.cg.sc.gov

Secretary of State Mark Hammond (R) (803) 734.2170 www.sos.sc.gov

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis (R) (803) 734.2016 www.treasurer.sc.gov

State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman (R) (803) 734.8500 www.ed.sc.gov

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

S O U T H

C A R O L I N A S E N A T E

Thomas Alexander (R) Oconee - District 1 thomasalexander@scsenate.gov

Shane Martin (R) Spartanburg - District 13 shanemartin@scsenate.gov

Karl Allen (D) Greenville - District 7 karlallen@scsenate.gov

Richard Cash (R) Anderson - District 3 richardcash@scsenate.gov

Floyd Nicholson (D) Harvey Peeler (R) Greenwood - District 10 Cherokee - District 14 floydnicholson@scsenate.gov harveypeeler@scsenate.gov

Tom Corbin (R) Greenville - District 5 tomcorbin@scsenate.gov

Glenn Reese (D) Spartanburg - District 11 glennreese@scsenate.gov

Mike Gambrell (R) Anderson - District 4 mikegambrell@scsenate.gov

Dwight Loftis (R) Greenville - District 6 dwightloftis@scsenate.gov

Rex Rice (R) Pickens - District 2 rexrice@scsenate.gov

Scott Talley (R) Spartanburg - District 12 scotttalley@scsenate.gov

G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N South Carolina General Assembly Website: www.scstatehouse.gov Senate Switchboard: (803) 212.6200

SEND MAIL TO:

Ross Turner (R) Greenville - District 8 rossturner@scsenate.gov

Danny Verdin (R) Laurens - District 9 dannyverdin@scsenate.gov

The Honorable (Senator’s Name) South Carolina Senate P.O. Box 142 Columbia, SC 29202

needs to be s

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 13

S . C .

H O U S E

O F

R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

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Rita Allison (R) Spartanburg - District 36 ritaallison@schouse.gov

Bruce Bannister (R) Greenville - District 24 brucebannister@schouse.gov

Mike Burns (R) Greenville - District 17 mikeburns@schouse.gov

Bill Chumley (R) Spartanburg - District 35 billchumley@schouse.gov

Gary Clary (R) Pickens - District 3 garyclary@schouse.gov

Neal Collins (R) Pickens - District 5 nealcollins@schouse.gov

Bobby Cox (R) Greenville - District 21 bobbycox@schouse.gov

West Cox (R) Anderson - District 10 westcox@schouse.gov

Chandra Dillard (D) Greenville - District 23 chandradillard@schouse.gov

Jason Elliott (R) Greenville - District 22 jasonelliott@schouse.gov

Mike Forrester (R) Spartanburg - District 34 mikeforrester@schouse.gov

Craig Gagnon (R) Abbeville - District 11 craiggagnon@schouse.gov

Doug Gilliam (R) Union - District 42 douggilliam@schouse.gov

Patrick Haddon (R) Greenville - District 19 patrickhaddon@schouse.gov

Jonathon Hill (R) Anderson - District 8 jhill@schouse.gov

Davey Hiott (R) Pickens - District 4 davidhiott@schouse.gov

Max Hyde (R) Spartanburg - District 32 maxhyde@schouse.gov

Stewart Jones (R) Laurens - District 14 stewartjones@schouse.gov

Steven Long (R) Spartanburg - District 37 stevenlong@schouse.gov

Josiah Magnuson (R) Spartanburg - District 38 josiahmagnuson@schouse.gov

John McCravy (R) Greenwood - District 13 johnmccravy@schouse.gov

Adam Morgan (R) Greenville - District 20 adammorgan@schouse.gov

Dennis Moss (R) Cherokee - District 29 dennismoss@schouse.gov

Steve Moss (R) Cherokee - District 30 stevemoss@schouse.gov

Rosalyn Henderson-Myers (D) Spartanburg - District 31 rosalynhendersonmyers@schouse.gov

Anne Parks (D) Greenwood - District 12 anneparks@schouse.gov

Leola Robinson-Simpson (D) Greenville - District 25 leolarobinsonsimpson@schouse.gov

Bill Sandifer (R) Oconee - District 2 billsandifer@schouse.gov

Garry Smith (R) Greenville - District 27 garrysmith@schouse.gov

Tommy Stringer (R) Greenville - District 18 tommystringer@schouse.gov

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

S . C .

H O U S E

O F

R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Eddie Tallon (R) Spartanburg - District 33 eddietallon@schouse.gov

Anne Thayer (R) Anderson - District 9 annethayer@schouse.gov

Ashley Trantham (R) Greenville - District 28 ashleytrantham@schouse.gov

Jay West (R) Anderson - District 7 jaywest@schouse.gov

Brian White (R) Anderson - District 9 brianwhite@schouse.gov

G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N South Carolina General Assembly Website: www.scstatehouse.gov House Switchboard: (803) 734.3000

Mark Willis (R) Greenville - District 16 markwillis@schouse.gov

Bill Whitmire (R) Oconee - District 1 billwhitmire@schouse.gov

SEND MAIL TO:

The Honorable (Representative’s Name) South Carolina House of Representatives P.O. Box 11867 Columbia, SC 29211

Creating opportunities since 1962. www.gvltec.edu/

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 15

G R E E N V I L L E C O U N T Y

C O U N C I L

M U N I C I PA L I T I E S F O U N TA I N I N N

Butch Kirven (R) Chairman District 27 bkirven@greenvillecounty.org (864) 228.9300

Willis Meadows (R) Vice Chairman District 19 wmeadows@greenvillecounty.org (864) 419.8419

Xanthene Norris (D) Chairwoman Pro Tempore District 23 xnorris@greenvillecounty.org (864) 271.6798

G.P. McLeer, Mayor John Mahony, Ward 1 Jay Thomason, Ward 2 AJ Dearybury, Ward 3 Phil Clemmer, Ward 4 Anthony Cunningham, Ward 5 Mack Blackstone, Ward 6

GREER

Joe Dill (R) District 17 jdill@greenvillecounty.org (864) 380.6534

Michael Barnes (R) District 18 mbarnes@greenvillecounty.org (864) 877.9457

Sid Cates (R) District 20 scates@greenvillecounty.org (864) 268.2725

Rick Danner, Mayor Jay Arrowood, District 1 Wayne Griffin, District 2 (Mayor Pro Tempore) Mark Hopper, District 3 Lee Dumas, District 4, Wryley Bettis, District 5 Judy Albert, District 6

MAULDIN Terry Merritt, Mayor Taft Matney, Seat 1 Carol King, Seat 2 Seat 3 (Currently Vacant) Michael Reynolds, Seat 4 Dale Black, Seat 5 Diane Kuzniar, Seat 6 Rick Roberts (R) District 21 rroberts@greenvillecounty.org (864) 877.9755

Bob Taylor (R) District 22 btaylor@greenvillecounty.org (864) 414.7219

Liz Seman (R) District 24 lseman@greenvillecounty.org (864) 421.0837

SIMPSONVILLE Paul Shewmaker, Mayor Matthew Gooch, Ward 1 Stephanie Kelley, Ward 2 Jenn Hulehan, Ward 3 Sherry Roche, Ward 4 Ken Cummings, Ward 5 Lou Hutchings, Ward 6

Ennis Fant (D) District 25 efant@greenvillecounty.org (864) 467.2787

Lynn Ballard (R) District 26 lballard@greenvillecounty.org (864) 243.0014

Dan Tripp (R) District 17 dtripp@greenvillecounty.org (864) 963.1564

G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N

Greenville County Council has twelve members, each elected in single member district contests for four year, staggered terms.

Website: www.greenvillecounty.org Contact: (864) 467.7115 Mailing Address: 301 University Ridge, Suite 2400 Greenville, SC 29601 16

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

T R AV E L E R S R E S T Brandy Amidon, Mayor Shaniece Criss Kelly Byers Sara Gilstrap Grant Bumgarner Harvey Choplin Brantly Vest Jeff George Rick Floyd

G R E E N V I L L E C O U N C I L

Knox White (R) Mayor kwhite@greenvillesc.gov (864) 467.4590

John DeWorken (R) District 1 jdeworken@greenvillesc.gov (864) 905.5529

Wil Brasington (R) District 4 wbrasington@greenvillesc.gov (864) 421.3047

O F F I C I A L S

Lillian Brock Flemming (D) District 2 lflemming@greenvillesc.gov (864) 241.8677

Dorothy Dowe (D) At-Large Representative ddowe@greenvillesc.gov (864) 884.4444

C I T Y

Kenneth Gibson (D) District 3 kgibson@greenvillesc.gov (864) 241.6699

Russell Stall (D) At-Large Representative rstall@greenvillesc.gov (864) 430.0636

G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N

City Council consists of a mayor, who is elected at-large, and six council members. Of the six council members, two are elected at-large and four are elected from single-member districts. All members serve a four year term. Elections are conducted every two years. Together they constitute the legislative body of the City.

For More information: Visit the city website at www.greenvillesc.gov, or contact the Office of the City Clerk by email at cpitman@greenvillesc.gov or by phone at (864) 467.4431.

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E L E C T I O N C A L E N D A R

FEBRUARY 29, 2020

MARCH 30, 2020

• Democratic Presidential Primary

• Candidate Filing Closes

MARCH 16, 2020

JUNE 9, 2020

• Political Party Filing Opens • United States Senate • United States House of Representatives • State Senate • State House of Representatives • Multi-County District Offices • Solicitor • County elections

• Statewide Primaries

JUNE 23, 2020 • Primary Runoffs

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • General Election

For more information on 2020 elections, seats open, or instructions and deadlines for filing, please contact each individual city or visit scvotes.org.

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 17

G R E E N V I L L E S C H O O L

C O U N T Y

S C H O O L S

B O A R D

W. Burke Royster, Ph.D. Superintendent wroyster@greenville.k12.sc.us (864) 355.8860

Michelle Goodwin-Calwile Area 25 mgoodwincalwiled25@gmail.com (864) 275.6511

Debi C. Bush Area 19 dbush19@aol.com (864) 271.9972

Joy Grayson Area 17 joy@joy4education.com (864) 421.4650

Lynda Leventis-Wells Chair, Area 22 llwells22@gmail.com (864) 268.0579

Derek Lewis Area 24 derek@lewis4schools.com (864) 423.5316

Roger D. Meek Area 26 rdmeek@bellsouth.net (864) 380.8389

Glenda Morrison-Fair Area 23 gsmf7782@gmail.com (863) 232.1320

Crystal Ball O’Connor Area 27 crystalball.oconnor@gmail.com (864) 979.8554

Roy Z. Chamlee, III Area 21 roychamlee@gmail.com (864) 630.6070

G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N Greenville County Schools Website: www.greenville.k12.sc.us Phone: (864) 355.3100

SEND MAIL TO: Charles J. (Chuck) Saylors Area 20 chucksaylors@gmail.com (864) 354.3577

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Patrick L. Sudduth Area 18 sudduthp@bellsouth.net (864) 877.0685

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

Lisa H. Wells Vice Chair, Area 28 lisahwells@yahoo.com (864) 963.2355

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T A L K I N G P O L I T I C S With local, state, and national issues impacting your bottom line, business owners have the right to talk about the impact of policy with their employees. With a major national election year coming in 2020, legislation pertaining to healthcare, labor, and tax issues will be proposed and a lot of promises will be made.

Do your employees fully understand how these promises may impact their employer?

Here are some common-sense rules you should follow the next time there is a major political issue that could impact your company: 1

You can communicate with your employees and their families about legislation, regulations, or ballot referendums.

5

You may communicate your message to your employees using postal mail, advertising, direct mail, phone banks, or internal mail.

2

You should not direct the political activities of your employees.

6

You may not put any political messages into your employees’ paychecks.

3

You may encourage your employees and their families to support or oppose legislation, regulations, or ballot referendums.

7

You can tell employees and their families about the impact a law, bill, regulation, or referendum may have on your business.

4

You may not tell employees how to vote. (That is a fine line that can be vetted by an attorney.)

8

You may not reward or punish your employees for their political actions.

Certain activities are prohibited by law so please consult your legal counsel with specific questions.

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

G U I D E M E E T I N G

T O

O F F I C I A L S

Meeting face-to-face with elected officials or their staff is the most effective way to influence public policy. It will often take many visits, emails, phone calls, and other contacts to influence a position on a piece of legislation. Far too many people in politics today are confrontational, inconsiderate, and entitled, so politeness, consideration, and attitude can go a long way toward wielding influence. The tips below can help guide you toward a successful visit.

1

2

3

4

APPOINTMENT

RESEARCH

FOCUS

POSITIVE

• •

•

Make an appointment.

Don’t just show up.

Give staff your contact information.

In Columbia or Washington, schedules change fast. Meetings are commonly moved or delayed.

Bring several people with you. Coalitions do better than singles.

•

• • •

LISTEN • • • •

Ask the legislator for his or her position and listen carefully.

Be patient and don’t interrupt.

Stay passionate, but respectful, about your issue.

Always remain polite and respectful.

5

Check an official’s website and Google for his or her positions before the meeting.

Check your legislator’s voting record at scstatehouse.gov.

Plan your responses about favorable or unfavorable votes.

Be polite and don’t comment off-the-cuff.

•

•

•

REQUEST •

•

Make as specific a request as you can.

“Please vote for H. XXXX” or “Please introduce legislation that will XXXXXX.” Give them real, concrete examples, tailored as closely as you can to your local community, of why a bill should be supported, defeated, or introduced.

6

Be on time. Legislators have a lot of demands on their time. If you’re late, you may not get another meeting.

Stay on topic. Don’t use jargon or acronyms.

Speak about one issue at a time.

You don’t need to be an expert, you’re their constituent.

•

•

•

T H A N K YO U • •

•

Thank them again for their service and for taking your meeting.

Tell them you appreciate them “fitting you in” to their schedule.

Thank the staff. They’re the ones who can get you in again, or “forget” to pass along a message.

Thank them for their service – no matter what you think of their record.

Find common ground (through your research) where you can start the discussion.

Don’t react negatively if you don’t like something that is said.

FOLLOW-UP •

•

If a legislator asked for more information, get that information and send it along ASAP. Send a hand-written note thanking them for the meeting. This is the South, after all.

7

8

If a legislator asks you something you don’t know, simply say: “I don’t know, but I will get you that answer.”

Then, get him or her the answer ASAP.

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 21

T H E

P R I C E

O F

P O L I T I C A L

I N F L U E N C E

Forget what you learned in Schoolhouse Rock!, a bill’s journey to becoming a law is actually a complicated one–wrought with twists and turns. That’s why two full-time, dedicated experts advocate for our Upstate business community at the Statehouse.

We let our businesses get back to doing what they do best, without having to worry about navigating the political maze. Throughout the year, our lobbyists will attend 100+ meetings and log nearly 900 hours at County Square, the Statehouse, and in Washington fighting for Upstate businesses. Let our advocacy team become an extension of your team, bringing with them years of experience, in-depth knowledge of the legislative process, and relationships on both sides of the aisle founded on respect.

HOW A BILL B E C O M E S A L AW

For Chamber Investors, a complicated process becomes simple. Take the survey to help shape the Agenda, then let us do the heavy lifting for you. Through every twist and turn, we’re there.

(BEFORE SESSION) PREFILED COMMITTEE REFERENCE

FIRST READING

WITHOUT REFERENCE

AMENDED

AMENDED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

NO REPORT

COMMITTED OR RECOMMITTED

2ND READING

COMMITTEE REPORT

3RD READING

TABLED, CONTINUED, REJECTED

RETURNED TO HOUSE

AMENDED

SENATE 3 READINGS AFTER 1ST READING

CONCUR

RECEDE

RATIFIED

GOVERNOR

VETO

FREE CONFERENCE REPORT RECEIVED, ADOPTED

SIGNED OR WITHOUT SIGNATURE

NON-CONCUR

MESSAGE TO SENATE

CONFERENCE REPORT ADOPTED

INSIST

NO REPORT

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE APPOINTED

FREE CONFERENCE POWERS GRANTED

FREE CONFERENCE POWERS REQUESTED (2/3 VOTE)

VETO SUSTAINED

BECOMES AN ACT VETO OVERRIDDEN

t

Flowchart illustrates how a bill, originating in the House of Representatives, becomes a law.

Source: SCStatehouse.gov 22

2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide 23

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2020 Greenville Chamber Policy Agenda & Advocacy Guide